Larry Allen

Lawrence (Larry) Allen was raised by his mom and dad in the inner city of Wichita with his seven brothers and one sister. Larry went to public school in Wichita and graduated from South High School in 1973 where he excelled in football and helped the team to the city league championship in 1971-72 school year. He continued his athletic career at Garden City Community College where he was a star running back and later finished out his playing career at the University of Dayton (Ohio). Larry gave up any idea of playing long term professionally due to the loss of his dear mother and searching for his true ministry purpose. After his playing days Larry returned to Wichita and began a football coaching career in the urban community that has lasted for over 30 years. He is well known in the city as Coach Allen and has coached and trained some of the great players and people in the community including former Detroit Lion great and football hall of famer Barry Sanders along with many others.

While growing up in the urban community, Larry was always active in church and learned a great deal by watching his mother and grandmother’s faith in the Lord. While in high school he played drums with a gospel group the Pioneers as they traveled throughout the city and state of Oklahoma playing in several gospel fests. On December 31, 1972 Lawrence surrendered his life to Christ put the Lord on in baptism and was added to the body of Christ and been a faithful servant ever since.

In 2010, Lawrence began an outreach ministry for men of the community and the Holy Spirit led him to World Impact to invite Dr. Don Davis (his childhood and high school friend) to his first formal meeting with community men. Dr. Davis showed Larry all the TUMI resources and Larry soon became a full time TUMI student. Larry was later introduced to Al Ewert and it became evident that Larry’s heart for ministry was a perfect fit for World Impact and he came on staff in 2014.

Larry’s primary role is to build relationships with urban pastors in the community to learn how World Impact can assist them or work in partnership with them to help assist their leaders and pastors. He most looks forward to telling the story of World Impact and TUMI so that the urban community of Pastors and local congregations know that we are willing and able to share our resources to encourage what they are already doing in the city!

Lawrence is married to Deborah, his high school sweetheart. They will celebrate 40 years of marriage on Dec 21, 2014. “My wife is the greatest blessing I have received so far in this life; sharing life with the one I love the most. She is my best friend and the love of my life.” Lawrence and Deborah have three grown children: a daughter, Tiffany and sons, Lawrence Jr. and Mario. They have ten grandchildren, eight girls and two boys ranging from 18 years old to 4 years old.